Scientists have synthesized an anti-cancer compound from fungal toxins

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new anti—cancer compound based on toxins from the fungus Aspergillus flavus, also known as the "curse of the pharaohs fungus." This was reported by Popular Science magazine.

According to his data, the scientists focused on creating compounds from the group of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPP), which had previously been almost unknown in fungi. As part of the project, the team analyzed a large number of fungal strains of the genus Aspergillus and identified A. flavus as the most promising source of such molecules.

Although thousands of ripps have already been isolated from bacteria, only a few have been found in fungi. The reason was that previously fungal ripps were often mistaken for non-ribosomal peptides.

After isolating a potentially active protein in the A. flavus genome, the team disabled the corresponding genes. This allowed us to confirm that they are responsible for the production of target compounds. Four different peptides were then purified, each with a unique ring structure. All of them were named asperigimycins, in honor of the fungus from which they were produced.

Without any modification, two of the four variants of asperigimycin had a pronounced effect on leukemia cells. Another variety was supplemented with a lipid (fat) molecule and at the same time showed efficacy comparable to the action of cytarabine and daunorubicin, drugs approved by the FDA and used in the treatment of leukemia for more than two decades.

Observations showed that the effects of the compounds were limited only to certain types of cells. They had no noticeable effect on the cells of other types of cancer, and also had no effect on a number of bacteria and fungi. This indicates a high selectivity of action, which is critically important when creating safe anti-cancer drugs.

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Suna Isakova, an oncologist at the Sberbank Health medical company, told Izvestia on July 25 that the burning sensation and redness of the palms can be associated not only with skin diseases, but also with serious pathologies, including oncological ones. In some malignant neoplasms, tumor cells produce biologically active substances, provoking the development of paraneoplastic syndromes. They affect different systems, including the skin.

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